Cricket racism crisis: Essex Chairman resigns over 'racist language' allegations

John Faragher has resigned as Chairman of Essex County Cricket Club (ECCC) over allegations that he used 'racist language' in a board meeting in 2017.

Essex are the latest professional county cricket club to find themselves embroiled in the racism scandal engulfing the sport.

Former Essex chairman John Faragher who has resigned with immediate effect following a historic allegation of racist language used by him at a board meeting in 2017.
Gareth Fuller

The club released a statement saying: "John Faragher has resigned with immediate effect as Chair of Essex County Cricket Club following a historic allegation of racist language used by him at a Board Meeting in 2017.

"Faragher stepped down following a meeting of the Board on Thursday evening. Essex County Cricket Club does not tolerate discrimination of any kind and will immediately consider further steps the Club must take.

"Faragher strongly denies the incident, however the Club will review why it was not fully and independently investigated at the time.

The newly appointed Chief Executive of the club said:

“There is no place for discrimination of any kind at Essex County Cricket Club.

“This is a proud Club with a zero-tolerance policy towards racism and any form of discrimination and, as Essex Cricket’s new Chief Executive Officer, I will not hesitate to uphold those principles and drive out any form of discrimination that is uncovered.

“I was made aware of this single allegation on Thursday having joined the Club four weeks ago. The Board met last night [Thursday] during which John Faragher’s resignation was unanimously accepted by the Board.

“We are committed to working with the England & Wales Cricket Board to eradicate discrimination from the game. This is an important first step, but the Club must now act further. Our internal reporting mechanisms will be reviewed to ensure that matters such as this are dealt with appropriately and immediately.

“I intend for those next actions to be communicated as soon as possible.”

This comes as several of Yorkshire's top decision-makers made way, following the escalation of the Azeem Rafiq racism scandal.

A group of 34 Yorkshire MPs and the region’s two Metro Mayors wrote to England and Wales Cricket Board chair Tom Harrison demanding an “immediate, comprehensive and independent inquiry” into the Azeem Rafiq racism case.